Working with SUBTEXT

Whats beneath the text?

Subtext is
Subtext is the deeper meaning in your dialogue, action, characters, scene, and plot. Content underneath the spoken dialogue

Under dialogue, there can be conflict, anger, competition, pride, showing off, or other implicit ideas and emotions.

The unspoken thoughts and motives of characterswhat they really think and believe.

Convincing characters
dont always just come right out and say what they mean: They can lie.. They can be vague.. They can beat around the bush.. Theyll often try to protect themselves.. Theyll often try not to disgrace themselves.. Theyll often try not to humiliate themselves.. Theyll often try not to let the person they are speaking to know what theyre thinking. Theyll often try not to let on that they know as much as they know

Not all speech is direct

As humans, we often dont articulate our thoughts exactly. Were thinking on our feet as we talk, processing other stimuli, like body language, and struggling with our own concerns and emotions as well as those of the listener.

In fiction, this kind of miscommunication can add authenticity, create dramatic tension, and even reveal deeper truths.

An example
On the nose (direct) dialogue: Man: "How are you? Woman: "Fine.
V.s. Off the nose (subtext) dialogue: Man: "How are you? Woman:"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you."

Everyones a Subtext creator

Consider examples of your own

Aim for the heart

The power of Subtext Letting the audience discover meaning through the heart before they understand it through the head.

On the nose dialogue aims at the head, at understanding.

Subtext aims at the heart, at feeling. It is more powerful writing to make your audience feel first and understand second

Points to remember
Its about balance:
On the nose has its place but too much means the same to everyone. Subtext can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people Screenwriting = The 1st stage of a collaborative process Give your actors, directors Something to work with SHARE the secrets of your characters with your audience

Find an example of your own

Pick a film clip of your choice Pay close attention to the dialogue See if you can note the difference between on the nose and Subtext